The Perhaps of God... Who knows?

When the answer to your prayer is not the reward of your prayer... how to pray? I mean, you pray to God for something, yet knowing that it may not happen... Like that how to pray?

I'm sure this strikes a chord in any genuine heart that seeks God and lays hold of His promises. You yearn for a miraculous healing to break through, yet you know it may not come. You press in for God's promises to come to pass - be it in your life or in your ministry - yet knowing that it may not unfold... How then to position your heart, especially before God when you go to Him in prayer? Oh God I believe, but how to deal with the questions in my heart?


Confidence in Approaching a God who is Gracious...
Whatever the situation you are facing, know that we can approach God in confidence, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Oh how we need to touch this truth of God and deeply encounter what is in His heart towards men, even when we have sinned and fallen short of His glory. If we encounter this truth in our inner man, we will not only run to God in confidence at all times, but also pursue Him wholeheartedly and live for Him in abandonment...

King David was one who had confidence in approaching God, at all times, yes, even when he has sinned. Remember what David did when God told him that his son would die because of his sin (2Sam 12:11-23)? He fasted and pleaded with God not to take his son's life away. David knew God, for He is gracious and longs to relent. He says in verse 22, "Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?"

In the end, God did not spare David's son even though he sought the Lord in fasting and weeping. Yet king David pleased God in that he was confident in approaching God who is gracious. The dying of his son does not show us God's un-graciousness towards David, rather it showed us the confidence David had in approaching God - that even when he knew the consequences of his sin, he has a God who is gracious and he can go to Him. David was not offended with God, as we later read how after his child has died, he got up, went into the house of the Lord and worshiped and went about his daily activities. David fully embraced the consequences of his sin, yet keeping his heart tender before God. Even though God did not relent, deep inside, he was rooted in the knowledge and faith of who God is.

I remember a testimony of someone whose mother was dying of cancer. One day, God said to her, "What if I do not heal your mother? Will you still believe in Me?" For the next two weeks, she could not answer the question truthfully from her heart. When she went about her worship and prayer before God, she knew she was being superficial with God, saying, 'Surely God you are a God who heals..even..." On the night her mother died, she turned to God and said, with the spirit of God stirring the seed of faith sown deep in her heart, "God, You are not only a God who heals, You are a God who provides, You are a God who is my Good Shepherd, You are a God who is my Peace, a God who is here with me..." and she continued to proclaim the name of the Lord... "for nothing can take away this truth of who You are, not even what has happened to my mother... for You alone are God." She could not believe her own utterance at that moment. But one thing she knew, that living a life of faith believing in God despite it all, is what saves her, is what keeps her sane in this world, is joy unspeakable! The two weeks of being superficial with God, as she recounted to me, was unbearable. That going through motion without really believing felt terrible. Praise be to God for this trial, for He has led her to higher ground, overcoming her lack of belief and becoming victorious in Christ.


The Perhaps of God...
Remember the story of how God sent Jonah to preach a message of repentance to the wicked Ninevites? And how the Ninevites (and their animals!), fasted and turned in repentance and desperation to the God who alone can spare them (Jonah 3:9). In Joel 2:14, we see again how God appealed to His people to turn and rend their hearts that He may relent and leave a blessing.

Before God brings about His righteous judgment upon the people, He leaves a window called the "perhaps of God". He makes known that He is going to judge, so isn't that final? Yet before that happens, He hearkens His people to turn and repent. For God is looking at our hearts - He is looking for repentant hearts. This "perhaps of God" does not suggest that God is fickle-minded that He cannot decide or that He is playing a game with us. Rather, it shows us the very heart of God - that He wants to relent, and the condition of that is repentance. God is just and will judge, yet He longs to relent and promises to leave a blessing for those who turn to Him in repentance.

In the book of Jonah, God relented when the Ninevites sincerely repented, showing fruits of their repentance. "Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it." (Jonah 3:10).

In the book of Joel, God not only calls the people to repent, He also gave them the specific guidelines on what to do if we were to turn to the Lord. More than that, it is an instruction manual for the Body of Christ on how to prepare ourselves for the coming Day of the Lord! The book of Joel is probably the clearest passage in the Word of God that describes what God wants us to do in times of crisis and how the people of God should respond - both on a local and global scale.

Let's also take a leaf from the book of Daniel - who said even if the Lord will not deliver him, he will still not bow to other gods (Dan. 3:17-18). Be inspired by the men from the hall of faith in Hebrews 11 - men who knew they would not receive any reward in this age, for they desiring a heavenly country... They all lived their lives striving to enter the narrow gate (Lk. 13:24), striving according to the working which works in them mightily (Col 1:29).

Fret not... you are not alone! God has given us His word to encourage us in times like these. Let those who has an ear, hear what the Spirit of God is saying and doing! For we need courage in such times - to press in, to lay hold... despite it all... and to press in to the "perhaps of God"...

Are you listening?

"If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!" This sentence appeared 7 times in the gospels and 8 times in the book of Revelation. The meaning of this sentence? That what God is saying in these passages of Scriptures is extremely important and urgent. If we operate our lives based on the quadrant of importance and urgency, what God is saying in these passages of Scriptures should fall into the most important and most urgent quadrant. It deserves nothing other than our immediate attention, constant pre-occupation until... and the prioritizing of our lives to give ear, take heed and respond. For wisdom is justified by her children (Matt. 11:19).


The Need To Hear...
Do we hear what the Spirit of God is saying to us now? As believers, we need to attune ourselves to what the Spirit of God is saying - both to us personally and also on a corporate level. Perhaps I have made an assumption here. The assumption that God is the most important Person in our lives. Is He? We got to get this settled in our hearts before move on. Cos if He is the most important Person in our lives, what He says not only carries weight, but deserves our full attention, to give ear... to press in for understanding... to lay hold...

Also, can we also don't hide behind the "I don't know enough, I am not spiritual enough to make sense of things, I'm not sure if what I hear is true, I'm not like this and this person who is closer to God and etc etc..." I am speaking this to myself first and foremost! Surely if I cannot hear or understand clearly, my confidence is this - if God wants me to know, He will make a way as I press in for understanding.

John 16:13 says, "...when He, he Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth...and He will tell you things to come.." The Holy Spirit is the Helper that God has sent to us to guide us into all truth. Many of us, including myself, hope to know everything instantaneously. However, we cannot bear the many things God wants to make known to us. Thus He sent the Holy Spirit to help us. Matt. 16:7 says "it is to our advantage" that Jesus went away. Jesus has completed what God the Father commissioned Him to do on earth. It is finished, at the cross. Jesus had to go to the Father so that God's plan for the Holy Spirit to take over from there will effect the next phase of His plan for us. Oh how great and marvelous are your works O Lord God Almighty! It is well with my soul...


Searching the Scriptures...
May God give you wisdom and spiritual understanding as you pore over His words in Matt. 11:15; 13:9, 43; Mark 4:9, 23; 7:17; Luke 8:8; 14:35; Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22 and Rev. 13:9. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!

Growing Pains...

"Grow up!" This was one of the best advice from a friend... Out of nowhere, these two words sprung up. It kind of silenced my ‘but this but that blah blah blah’. With a firm locking of arms over my shoulder, my friend said in a loving and assuring way – grow up. Although that was like more than ten years ago, I could still remember it vividly. We all need friends who would say that to us, even now!

Sometimes we complicate things in life, don’t you think so? Or I should say, sometimes it’s all about ourselves. That’s what immaturity is about I guess. Me first. All me. I can only see me me me, my my my needs. What did you say? But did you hear me? Enough said.

Before I delve deeper into my own reflective mode, let’s ponder on what God’s word say about maturity in Christ. The book of Song of Songs depicts the journey of a believer, growing from immaturity (desiring God but still overwhelmed with “me-first” mentality – my hurts, my pain, my comfort etc) to maturity in Christ (she realizes that it is all about God and wanting His desires to be her desires)… It outlines in the clearest way, the progression of a believer growing from being self-centered to being God-centered…

I shall zoom in on two verses in this post, to illustrate how we journey from immaturity to (more) maturity. Is it about knowing more of God’s word? That is important. Is it about gritting our teeth and obeying the Lord at all costs? There is a place for faith. I submit to you my observation – that it is the REVELATION of Jesus in our lives that will bring us from strength to strength. Our faith is a revelatory faith – Christ revealed to us and in us. It is good to read and know (we must). It is important to live out (we should). But have we encountered God? Have we touched the truth? It takes God to love and obey God. We need to press in for revelation of God in our lives, else it would be all cognitive and functional. When God strikes our heart (inner man), we are able to see light and thus live a life from inside out. Christianity is not about doing. It’s about becoming. Becoming Christ-like!

The Two Verses... and the Progression...
“Until the day breaks
And the shadows flee away
Turn, my beloved,
And be like a gazelle
Or a young stag
Upon the mountains of Bether.” ~ Song 2:17

“Until the day breaks
And the shadows flee away,
I will go on my way to the
Mountain of myrrh
And o the hill of frankincense.” ~ Song 4:6

In both verses, the Shulamite woman (depicting a believer) acknowledges the dark shadows in her heart (until the day breaks and the shadow flees away). These are areas of her life that are not fully in the light. The daybreak (breakthrough) comes in the morning when new light appears. It is the time when the dark shadows or the gray areas in her life will be gone. Also, the darkest hour of the night is the hour just before dawn… oh how God uses nature to speak to us about pressing in when all seems so dark and gray… for the light is coming!

In Song 2:17, she asked Jesus to turn and in Song 4:6, she responded "I will go (arise)". So what, and why the difference in responses? What happened in between to bring the Shulamite woman from one who disobeyed in fear to one who rises up in obedience?

The Revelation of Jesus...
In the book of the Song of Songs, Jesus reveals 8 different facets of His personality. Each of them reveals a unique aspect of His relationship with the Bride, the Shulamite woman. As her journey begins, she encountered the Counseling Shepherd (Song 1:8), the Affectionate Father (Song 1:12-2:6) and the Sovereign King (Song 2:8-9). As Jesus challenged her to rise up in deep partnership with Him in Songs 2:14, she shrinks back in fear and refuses to obey Him. It was out of fear /immaturity and not rebellion, for God looks at our heart…


Divine Chatisement (Song 3:1-5)
The Shulamite woman understands that her compromise will lead to fruit in her vineyard being destroyed or in separation (Bether) in her intimacy with God. Jesus turns and goes away for a season.

Jesus honors our voluntary decision to draw back. Our relationship with Jesus is based on voluntary love. Because of her disobedience and yielding to her fears, God lovingly withdrew His presence, until she repents and cries out in obedience (Song 3:2).


The Cherished Heart of the Bridegroom (Song 4:1-8)
After a season of divine discipline, Jesus reveals His cherished heart and calls the Bride fair (or beautiful) while she is still maturing in her obedience and faith. In Song 4:1-5, Jesus prophetically affirms 8 “budding virtues” in the young Bride’s life. He equips us in our weakness by affirmations that overpower Satan’s accusations against us (Rev. 12:10). As Jesus affirms her, He is also saying to her that these 8 character traits are what He is looking for and thus developing in her:

1) Dove eyes: eyes of single-minded devotion and revelation.
2) Hair like goats: dedication to God.
3) Teeth like shorn sheep: chewing the meat of the Word.
4) Lips like scarlet: speech that is redemptive.
5) Kisses of the mouth: intimacy with God.
6) Veiled temples (i.e. cheeks / countenance): emotions impacted by the grace of God.
7) Neck like David’s tower: setting our will to obey God.
8) Breasts like fawns: the power to edify and nurture others.

Song 4:6 shows the Bride’s fearless and wholehearted commitment. She responds to Jesus’ affirmations by setting her heart to obey His call to come with Him to the mountains in Song 2:8-13. She now embraces the cross by going to the mountain of myrrh. She makes a firm decision to leave the comfort zone to go up the mountain by saying “I will go!” The Bride joins the King in spiritual warfare as He calls her His spouse for the first time in the Song. With her new commitment to go to the mountain, she now carries her heart as a loyal Bride.

For the next 4 chapters in the Song, we see her developing mature love for the Lord. (Song 4:8)

We are created to live in the high places with Jesus in the extravagant devotion of bridal partnership. We can trust in God's leadership and nurturing in our lives. So what are you thinking about now? Let’s take the leap.

The Power of Agreement

Have you ever gone on a trip, all excited, with a group of friends, and when one suggests a particular itinerary, the rest respond with a spontaneous YES(!) ? Immediately, the place where the group is will be filled with energy and more excitement! Of course, when the reverse happens, it's called a wet blanket and it would be such a drag!

Such is the effect of agreement, and dis-agreement.

What is intercession? It's about agreeing with what God has said in His word, what God promises to do and laying hold of it to come to pass. Intercession is not an inclination (i.e. I feel like it, then I intercede) nor does it belong to a special group of trained people. It is one of the godly disciplines for believers that as we walk in it, we grow in the Lord.


The Power of Agreement with the Lord
As we walk in agreement with the Lord in our lives, we will experience His power in our lives. It's more than the verbal saying of 'yes' to God's word. As we understand God's word progressively, we engage our heart in laying hold of what He first laid hold for us.

I heard a personal testimony of someone who went through a slight depression because she couldn't understand what God was doing in her ministry. And because she could not understand, she could not agree with God in how His hand was moving. As she sought the Lord for understanding and coveted for prayers and godly counsel from godly friends, God brought revelation of what He is doing... She then began to praise God for what He is doing and agree with what is in His heart. It is well with her soul and she found peace in her heart. There was also no room for any depression, for the power of agreement with the Lord lifted her out of the pit and brought her to a firm ground!


The Power of Agreement with One Another
Besides developing the discipline of intercession on our own, God exhorts us to pray and agree with one another. Therein lies power that is found in a corporate setting. Our holy God has provided a way by which He will manifest Himself to men. It is the way of communion through prayer. Matthew 18:20 says, "For when two or three are gathered in My name, I am there in the midst of them."


The Power of Continual Agreement
God promised to establish intercessors who will never be silent until He releases His presence. (Isa. 62:6-7). It is in God's heart to establish a group of people who will fully know His heart and thus usher in His promises for us, both personally and globally. Do you know that we are being accused by satan continuously? Rev. 12:10 says, "... for the accuser of our brethen, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down." Maybe that's why we succumb so easily and are powerless. May God awaken our hearts to understand the need to pray continuously and the power that is for us - both to overcome the enemy and also to usher in God's glorious promises for us here on earth!

The Cleansing Power of God's Word

My friend posted this comment on her facebook status: "The boy who hates to bathe found a way to "excuse" himself. He rubs hand sanitiser all over his body and proclaim himself ALL CLEAN!! No need to bathe anymore!"

I had a good laugh!

Who can approach God? Those with clean hands and a pure heart… (Psa 24). Throughout the bible, it is made known that cleanliness of hands (our action) and purity of hearts (our thoughts, minds etc) is mandatory to approaching God, for He is holy.

The priests in the Old Testament had to go through a thorough cleansing regime before they enter into the Holy of holies, where God’s shikenah presence dwells. Any impurity would spell a death sentence. Such is the holiness of God.

Yet He beckons us to draw near. There must be a catch, don’t you think so?

In our day and time, how do we cleanse ourselves daily as we approach God in intimacy? On our own, it can be a daunting task. What do I mean by that? Don’t think of pink elephants. Immediately our minds are filled with pink elephants. You get the drift…

I have good news. The gospel is for people who say “I can’t” and who go to God to lean on Him and be empowered. At times, we overcome instantaneously, while other times it is a continual overcoming process.

So how do we sanctify ourselves? One of the ways is to lean on His word. John 17:7 says, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” and again in Eph 3:26 we read, "... that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word."

It's not hard, really. It is only hard when we depend on our own flesh to accomplish the sanctification. Our part is to co-operate with God and respond to His word. Let the reading of the word cleanse our heart, mind, body, soul and spirit!

Suggested meditations: Psalm 119

Oh, how these verses move my heart...

9 How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.

72 The law of Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.

92 Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would then have perished in my affliction.

93 I will never forget Your precepts,
For by them You have given me life.

127 Therefore I love Your commandments
More than gold, yes, than fine gold!


"

Random Quotes of the Day

------------ Oswald Chambers -----------------------

http://www.myutmost.org/05/0510.html

"Add to your faith virtue. . ." ("Furnish your faith with resolution.") (MOFFATT.) 2 Peter 1:5

"Add" means there is something we have to do. We are in danger of forgetting that we cannot do what God does, and that God will not do what we can do. We cannot save ourselves nor sanctify ourselves, God does that; but God will not give us good habits, He will not give us character, He will not make us walk alright. We have to do all that ourselves, we have to work out the salvation God has worked in. "Add" means to get into the habit of doing things, and in the initial stages it is difficult. To take the initiative is to make a beginning, to instruct yourself in the way you have to go.

Beware of the tendency of asking the way when you know it perfectly well. Take the initiative, stop hesitating, and take the first step. Be resolute when God speaks, act in faith immediately on what He says, and never revise your decisions. If you hesitate when God tells you to do a thing, you endanger your standing in grace. Take the initiative, take it yourself, take the step with your will now, make it impossible to go back. Burn your bridges behind you - "I will write that letter"; "I will pay that debt." Make the thing inevitable.

We have to get into the habit of hearkening to God about everything, to form the habit of finding out what God says. If when a crisis comes, we instinctively turn to God, we know that the habit has been formed. We have to take the initiative where we are, not where we are not.


------------ Dick Eastmen -----------------------

There is no spiritual growth apart from the devotional habit


------------ Harold Lindsell -----------------------

Prayer does not come naturally to men. It must be learned. Learning to pray... includes knowledge of the laws governing prayer as well as experience gained in the practice of prayer. Prayer must be nourished and cultivated if it is to grow.

Even when all things around have not changed, we can change, from within. The greatest change that occurs is change from the inside of us.

The litmus test of our faith comes when trials comes our way - do we face it alone or do we turn to God in faith, and ride through the storm with Him...

See Me Through

by Tim Reimherr, International House of Prayer, Kansas City

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6iqWCr4mZo

As I wait for You

Would You come and see me through

The darkness of this side

I know its all for You

That in the end You would find

A pure and spotless bride

For I'm a stranger here with You

Struggling inside

To be a resting place for You

And I was made to be with You

I don't truly rest until I find my rest in You

So come and see me through

As I journey on

You will lead me by Your hand

And receive me in the end

Whom have I but You

And there is non upon the earth

That can save me but You

As I journey on this path of life

Let me find favor in Your eyes

To walk humbly before Your eyes

Always, always

Whom have I in heaven but You

And only what You say

Will really see me through

Send forth Your light and truth

And lead me, lead me on

Lord have mercy cause it's my only means

To find You here with me

To find You here with me

Lord have mercy cause it's my only plea

To find You here with me

To find You here with me.

As for me I will enter Your house

By the mercy You're giving me now

Your mercy is my only means (plea)

Life is not right until You split the sky

The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!"

We long for the day

When You make all things news

We want to be with You.

Carrying Our Hearts... well..

As we weather through the storms of life, major or just trivial, our thoughts and our emotions are evoked. While we handle these situations / people based on our existing set of values and outlook, some incidents can impact us to view or handle things and people differently.

A consistent question I would always ask myself would be - how should I carry my heart? Surely I want to ride on the ups and downs to grow my heart, and not allow situations and people to embitter or shrink my heart. Above all else, I want to guard my heart, for it is the wellspring of life...

I've held on to a few principles in managing situations and people (including myself!):

1) Giving people / situations the Benefit of Doubt

There are ok days and there are also off days. I constantly remind myself not to take things personally and to give grace to myself and others. i.e. to overlook offenses. Quoting from Proverbs 19:11 - "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense." and Proverbs 12:16, "A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult."

However, if there is a consistent pattern (of attitude or negative behaviour) that raises a concern, I will weigh the pros and cons before confronting the issue (with myself or others). Certain issues can be dealt in a 'roundabout' way. Other times, it will take a deliberate effort. I will hesitate to say or do anything if the parties concerned are not in my inner circle of influence. Why so? Because my good advice may just fall on deaf ears. Worse still, my intentions may be misunderstood.

2) What is the Main Issue?

This outlook helps me see the big picture and not be too caught up with the 'rights' and 'wrongs'. Once I see the main point or in mandarin they call it zhong dian, all things will somehow will fall into place. However, it takes two to clap - both you and the party (ies) invovled need to be open to see the big picture and not be over calculative about who-said-what and who's-at-fault etc. Of course the apt sorry's are necessary too.

3) Timing - knowing when to talk and when to be silent

There are some things that does not get better even if you work at it - talk through or explain or clarify. When we give time, events may unfold to vindicate yourself. However, sometimes things are swept under the carpet till another episode rakes it up (which is unfortunate if things are still unresolved).

Through it all, I ask God to grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference...

If Your Presence does not go with us...

I did not have such audacity to speak those words... Nor the right heart to speak thus... until I fell facedown... yes I'll fall facedown... as Your glory shines all around...

God, if Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here... we will not go on... because we cannot go on without Your manifest Presence with us. We will not go on... we cannot just go on like this... we do not want to do this without Your manifest Presence with us!

For how then will it be known that we have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? For how then will it be known that what You have spoken to us is Your word for the now? For how then will it be known that this is the very thing that's burning in Your heart?

Raise up the House of Prayer in the spirit of the Tabernacle of David, 24-7! In Singapore! For You are worthy of our worship, our hearts, our all... More than a place, we ask for the I-H-O-P people, people who respond in living out a Joel 2 lifestyle. Bring in the musicians, worship leaders, singers and intercessors, to do this 24-7 and set the fire on the altar burning day and night... That all may know and see the sign of Your coming. That all may have understanding of Your heart and what You are about to do...

So we shall be separate... set apart...from all the people who are upon the face of the earth. May the worship and intercession rise to You as a sweet aroma... as we burn, stand and minister before You... as we tarry with You, for the very things on Your heart... to come to pass O Lord, in our day, in our time. We tarry in faith, believing in Your Word. We tarry in hope, holding fast to our confession that Jesus is coming soon, with His reward for His saints. We tarry in love, for the Wedding day is coming...

~ Exo 33:15-16

What is Prayer all about?

1-sentence version... Prayer is about spending time with God and talking to Him.

3-point version... Prayer is about waiting, longing, hastening...


WAITING
I'm waiting... cos God told us to...we got to give hear, understand why and do something about it... In Isa 40:31, we read how as one waits upon the Lord, they are renewed. Acts 2 recounted to us the active waiting by the disciples, gathering in one accord.

The waitings were anchored in a Hope...

Isa 40 expounds on the Hope of all mankind - our everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, who neither faints nor is weary, whose understanding is unsearchable, who gives power to the weak, who increases strength in those who have no might. Oh, who is like You, O Lord!

Acts 2 tells of the returning Hope, Jesus, the reason of their waiting. This Jesus, whom the disciples see taken up into the heavens and was told that in the same manner, He is coming back soon (Acts 1:11).

So they waited... they pressed in... some gave up... some continued to wait for who can dismiss the Hope that is anchored in their hearts? Though sometimes it does take a major effort in keeping with the waiting. It is not automatic. Desire if not followed through with effort, leaves us 'comfortable' and dull. O God, draw us in! Do not let us grow faint..


LONGING
I'm longing... cos I've experienced His love and know that He is coming back, for me, for us, for love. You know, it's one thing to love God, it's another to love God and be lovesick for God. The former is sweet, the latter is sweet yet totally uncomfortable. Uncomfortable cos if you are lovesick, you will do something to go deep, to pursue, even if it seems foolish in the eyes of man...
Heb 11:16 - "...but now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country..." The men of faith were longing for God and His kingdom. For they somehow know, be it from afar or from anear, that there is a better than...

A longing heart spurs a life lived by Faith...

What is a picture of a life lived by faith? ... subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong,became valiant inn battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens ... erm, you may not like this, had trial of mockings and scourgings, of chains and imprisonment, they were stoned... sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword.. wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted and tormented...

... of whom the world was not worthy...

I don't know what went through your mind as you read their experiences. Surreal perhaps?They probably understood what Jesus meant when He said in Matthew 5:10-12, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven..."


HASTENING
I'm hastening... cos I want to rise up in maturity in love and partnership with the Holy Spirit to do what God wants to do...

Hastening is probably the biggest paradigm shift I had regarding prayer. It blows my mind to know that God needs our prayers to do what He wants to do! I mean, God, in all his almighty and divine and limitless ability, created a 'dependance' within his nature - a dependance on men's prayer! In my own puny mind, I liken prayer of men to the scoreboard in an arcade game. Some hits, some misses, and somehow it totals up to 'enough' and wham, God moves. It all counts, for the misses were necessary in getting the hits alrighty.

Just keep praying, yes, and unceasingly! Rev 8:3-5 recounts for us the awesome heavenly activities when the heavenly incense + the prayer of the saints set into motion God's trumpet-judgment series. It is my favourite passage in the book of revelation - Rev 8:1-6 - especially the part where there was silence in heaven for about half an hour... silence cos something serious and intense is about to take place... selah... *gasp*... may I be found on God's side in that hour...

I'm reminded of a chorus line from the IHOP prayer room - And I miss You Jesus and I want You to come back... oh, may we engage our hearts in Love with our coming bridegroom God, who is lovesick for us...


So in the meantime, in this time of waiting, longing and hastening, God is preparing me. As I open my heart to Him, He is yanking out the things that stand in the way (OUCH!!!). In this time of waiting, He lets me know Him more - what is in His heart and what He is about to do... Sometimes I understand, but most times I don't... which means most times I am crying out for revelation, and at the same time reciting prayers from my head, and let God do the work of letting it sink into my whole being.

Oh God, how I long to know your heart and your mind more, so I can be mature in love and effective in what You want me to do... Even when I blew it, time and time again, You never gave up on me. How can I not love You O Lord... in love and lovesick for You... Be it unto me, that wherever I am, whatever I am doing, that the one pre-occupation of my heart and mind is on You and Your Kingdom!

Set Apart - an offering that is pleasing to God

[How often do we take coming before God for granted, even times, going through motion, almost forgetting why we first want to come before him? Fret not... Pause... let the searchlight of God sweep through your heart and offer your lives afresh, tell Him how much you want to bring Him an offering that pleases Him, for that is what He is looking for... He delights in the movements of our heart, not the works of our hands...]

Come into my garden

And take delight in me

Have Your way in me, I pray

Blow upon my garden

Come... north wind

Come! south wind

That its spices may flow out

Till I'm perfected in love... with You and You alone

Till I'm total in obedience... ever before You

Hearts burning

Set apart for You

To burn, to gaze, to draw near

This is Your vineyard

You tended it and caused it to grow

Come and eat of its fruits

A work of Your grace

Not by might nor by power

But formed by Your spirit

Come into Your garden

And take delight in me

I'm Yours... I'm Yours... All Yours...

Let's rejoice and be glad

See the Light in my eyes

See The Wedding that is to come!

[Scripture references]

1 John 4:18 - "Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world."

Songs 4:16 - 5:1

Awake, O north wind,

And come, O south!

Blow upon my garden,

That its spices may flow out.

Let my beloved come to his garden

And eat its pleasant fruits.

I have come to my garden, my sister, my spouse;

I have gathered my myrrh with my spice;

I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey;

I have drunk my wine with my milk.

My Soul Sings...

http://www.pharefm.be/video-7.html

[It's just a little while longer... Till i'll see You... Till I'll know You...Till we'll be together...]

Open my eyes and see
The wonderful mystery of love
Falling into You
I'm drawn to the gravity of love, love, love

We're standing still
In a moment of eternity
Where worlds collide
And I feel the breath of heaven over me

My soul sings
My so-oul sings
My soul sings
How I love You

Open the page and see
The wonderful history of love, love
I start and end with You
I'm pulled to the gravity of love, love, love

We're standing still
In a moment of eternity
Where worlds collide
And I feel the breath of heaven over me

Uncomfortable Comfort

After some good months of reading the bible diligently, I felt a sense of restlessness – in a good way.

I was restless because I seem to be gaining a lot of information and knowledge (which I’m thankful for), yet my heart was not stirred in a corresponding measure.

There seems to be a ‘block’ somewhere inside of me – while my mind is being renewed and amazed with what I’m (cognitively) learning, I needed to remove the ‘block’ that will stir my heart and inner-man.

It all became clearer why I was passively ‘resisting’ the removal of this ‘block’ when I was listening to a teaching. The topic was on the global prayer movement at the End-of-the-Age. It was the message for the now! It was what the Holy Spirit is orchestrating, in bringing the church to understanding God’s heart, in ushering in the return of Jesus and the age-to-come (eternity)! It was one of the messages where there is a very clear Amen in your heart... It's of God, from God and it is now!

My heart stirred. But interestingly, it was uncomfortable. Very uncomfortable. Uncomfortable because I know that if I were to respond to this stirring, my life will be turned upside down. You see, it was one of those messages that you clearly cannot listen and walk away living life business-as-usual. A sub-conscious block then entered my heart – it’s ok to just listen, don’t get too excited, it’s good teaching and that’s about it. And I felt comfortable again – cos nothing needs to change really, or so urgently.

That encounter with what’s happening inside of me left me astounded. Do I want an uncomfortable comfort, which has the true dose of reality or am I just contented with a comfortable comfort and just cruise in life... void of God? >_<

Oh Lord, You are a God who is faithful and full of mercy! According to your great love and surpassing mercy, blot out my blocks… I repent for passively resisting your Word of Truth for the hour, so that I can do my own things and cruise.

But in this hour, the Spirit of God is guiding us to seeing what You are doing. I do not see! I do not know! I ask for grace to strengthen my resolve to press in for understanding and live a life of obedience to Your truth and what the Spirit of God is saying, even if it is uncomfortable. I ask for wisdom in living out what You have called me to – to be and to do.

Do not let me go! Do not let me stay where I am! Until I become fully mature in love and partnership with Jesus. You are the vine, we are the branches. Even when it gets uncomfortable in this pruning, I say yes to You!

Create in me a stirring that I will watch and pray. Strike my heart like a hammer, like a fire, that I may speak forth Your word!

In Jesus' Name I pray... Amen!

It's ok to fail... but have we learnt?

Many of us have in one way or another, set out to do something… but failed.

The something could be range from something on a small scale, like learning a skill or language, to something of a bigger scale such as starting a company.

Whatever the scale of the ‘something’ that we have started out to do but somehow failed, one thing remains the same – it’s about learning from our failures and mistakes.

Have we learnt from our setbacks?

What lessons can we glean from our failures that can strengthen us in our resolve going forward – be it to start another something or living out various aspects in our lives?

We’ll become wiser, if only we learn it right.
We’ll become bitter or foolish or both, if we take the ‘blame-something/one-else’ route.
We’ll become neutral, if we sweep it away and not deal with it head on.
 

HEAR YE CHURCH, IT'S A LETTER FROM GOD

It grips my heart whenever I read the letters God commissioned John to write to the churches in Asia in the book of Revelation. The letters reflect the heart conditions of the church and Jesus calling them to respond… If it is a letter from God, we not only need to read it, but also take heed and respond…

Do you know we can be laboring for Christ’s sake, YET lost our first love for Jesus?

Do you know we can be holding fast to God’s name, not denying our faith in the very darkness of the hour, increasing in our works, love, service, faith and long suffering in Christ, YET holding on to wrong doctrines and thus falling into immorality and idolatry?

Do you know that we can be popularly known as one that’s ‘alive and vibrant’, YET in God’s eyes, we are ‘dead’?

Do you know that we can be deceived to think that we are rich and are in plenty, not needing anything, YET we are actually wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked - very much in want in everyway?

I don’t know what went through your mind as you read Rev. chapters 2 & 3. Pause and think. We could be doing all the ‘right things’ but are they right in the eyes of God?

Why is God saying all these? And even more so now?

God loves us enough not to leave us where we are. Many of us start out with a sincere heart, but along the way, we become ‘something/one else’. God in all His wisdom, knows that He needs to continue to work in us.

But to make things work, we need to respond and co-operate. May the God grant us the spirit of wisdom and understanding in the knowledge of what is on His heart... that we may respond...

He who has an ear, let Him hear what the Spirit says…

When You Believe...

[It's been a topsy turvy month... grasping and pressing in to what God is speaking to us individually and corporately as a House of Prayer. I could go on 'life as usual', doing my 'christian thing'... besides, my 'life as usual' is quite 'ok' - or so I think (how wrong I was!).

But there is a stirring in my heart that I cannot ignore... God has spoken... We gotta hear.. we gotta take heed.. and respond! There's an urgency cos if I don't heed and respond, I'll just 'go on business as usual' and over time, my heart will harden... Do you not know, when we hear and do not respond (thinking we got time, later... drag... procrastinate.. or think we are ok..), our hearts towards God will harden... that's the last thing I ever want to happen... passive resistance ->active resistance->rebellion...

May we press in, contending for our faith (Jude 3), hear and take heed to what God is saying... for there can be miracles, when we believe!]



WHEN YOU BELIEVE...

Many nights we've prayed
With no proof anyone could hear
In our hearts a hopeful song
We barely understood
Now we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains
Long before we knew we could

There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will
You will when you believe

In this time of fear
When prayer so often proves in vain
Hope seemed like the summer birds
Too swiftly flown away
Yet now I'm standing here
My heart's so full I can't explain
Seeking faith and speaking words
I never thought I'd say

There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will
You will when you believe

They don't always happen when you ask
And it's easy to give in to your fear
But when you're blinded by your pain
Can't see your way safe through the rain
Thought of a still resilient voice
Says love is very near

There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will
Now you will
You will when you believe

You will when you believe
Just believe
Gotta believe
You will when you believe

I Know Him So Well...

[When I first heard this song, I was in my teenage years. I was attending a musical in RGS with my sister. If I remembered correctly, the concert's title was 'Climb Every Mountain'. It was a very inspiring and memorable evening. This song was one of the songs sung and it stuck in my head till today. Like it very much! ^_^. "I Know Him So Well" is a song from the concept album and subsequent musical Chess by Tim Rice, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. In this duet, two women – Svetlana, the Russian chess champion's estranged wife, and Florence, his mistress – express their bittersweet feelings for him and at seeing their relationships fall apart... Well, my interpretation of the lyrics is different though......]

Nothing is so good it lasts eternally,
Perfect situations must go wrong,
But this has never yet prevented me,
Wanting far too much,
For far too long,

Looking back,
I could have played it differently,
Won a few more moments,
Who can tell,
But it took time to understand the man,
Now at least I know
I know him well

Wasn't it good?
(Oh so good)
Wasn't he fine?
(Oh so fine)
Isn't it madness,
He can't be mine?
But in the end
He needs a little bit
More than me,
More security,
He needs his fantasy and freedom,
I know him so well

No-one in your life is with you constantly,
No-one is completely on your side,
And though I'd move my world to be with him,
Still the gap between us is too wide,

Looking back,
(Looking back)
I could have played it differently,
(I could have played it some other way),
Learned about the man,
Before I fell
(I was just a little girl)
But I was ever so much younger then,
(Maybe, so much younger then)
Now at least I know
I know him well

Wasn't it good?
(Oh so good)
Wasn't he fine?
(Oh so fine)
Isn't it madness,
He won't be mine?

Didn't I know?
How it would go,
If I knew from the start,
Why am I falling apart?

Wasn't it good
Wasn't he fine?
Isn't it madness,
He won't be mine?

But in the end,
He needs a little bit
More than me,
More security,
He needs his fantasy and freedom,
I know him so well,
It took time to understand him,

I know him so well

Current Song Playing

[It's heaven when you wake up each morning, having a song in your heart. It's heaven whenever you touch base with your heart and get into your 'inner world', there's a song playing... Just like when you walk into any music store, you'll hear the shop playing a current song track from an album. If God visited the inner recesses of your heart, what would the track that's playing on the 'album of your heart' ? mmmh.... Let's sing a new song unto Him, make melody in your heart to the Lord most high...]

Think about it... He never sleeps... He watches over us... He is the Great Intercessor... interceding for us...

Psalm 121...

YOU WATCH OVER ME

You never let my feet slip

You watch over me

There is no need to worry

You watch over me

You're the shade from the hot sun

You watch over me

You're my comfort when the day's done

You watch over me

You watch over me

And I fix my eyes on You

You're higher than

Any mountain

How bright You are

More than any star

You never sleep...

You watch over me

I am not God’s second choice…

How it all began…

It all began with diligence in seeking understanding of the times we are in. I attempted to study the charts on the 70-weeks prophecy which God gave Daniel in Dan. 9. I seek to be like the sons of Isaachar, understanding the times and knowing what we ought to do. (2Chron. 12:32).

One of the chart traces the events leading up the Jesus’ second coming. It involves 3 prophetic (i.e. future) time frames in the last days – beginning of birth pangs (like how a pregnant woman would feel), the 7-years of the final history of mankind on earth (the final week) and the events leading to the Age-to-come.

I had lost count on the number of times I studied the chart… though I do remember quite vividly that most attempts were pretty technical and somewhat futile (leaving me exasperated) – especially when I just tried to memorize the facts, so I can get it right and well, say it right. On hindsight, they were not wasted attempts. I just had to keep re-visiting it (albeit the anguish and coming to terms with the I-thought-I-knew-it-but-I-really-don’t moments) and keep asking for the spirit of revelation to enlighten my eyes to see and open my heart to understand.


Setting my heart for understanding…
Yes, like Daniel, I set my heart for understanding (Dan. 10:12). When it’s uphill, I will press in till I am maxed out. Then I will take a break and study other topics in the bible, and revisit it (the charts) when I am ready. That’s what a friend taught me. It worked! Well, I’ll leave it to another day to blog about the 70-weeks prophecy. Studying the charts, with the help of our divine Guide – the Holy Spirit, has left me standing in awe of the certainty of God’s plan for mankind, his all-surpassing wisdom and impeccable leadership. In other words, it just means my jaw has dropped. Where's my jaw now? I can’t find it...or rather I have no time to find it because I am still amazed every time I think about it. Save the picking up. I wonder… in heaven, do the saints have their mouths wide open in awe of the beautiful One? I wonder…


Here comes the main part…
So much for the introduction… now moving on to the main gist of why I entitle this post – I am not God’s second choice.

Have you ever read Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation for everyone who believes, first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”

First for the Jew, then for the Gentile… Reading this statement leaves me with two major questions. Firstly, what does this mean? Why first for the Jew (them?), then for the Gentile (me?). Bible study tells me that salvation came to us through a people group that God has chosen. And because of their rejection of the gospel, salvation came to us who believe.

Ouch… Is this...I mean... is this the good news? How come it comes with a feeling of… well… erm... I am... I am the ...‘second choice’… They don’t want it, so here it is, it’s yours if you believe. That’s what my human understanding tells me.

Skip... Next question... So am I, are we Gentiles, thus God’s 'second choice'?

I never had a chance to fully grasp the answers. I think I just glossed over it, thinking even if I am the second choice, God is good and He is God and is ‘kind enough’ to offer me His salvation when I choose to believe, so don’t ‘complain’ or think too much. Sigh… so superficial right? Or maybe I'm too afraid to find out the answers. Or too laid back to press in to know God more. Thank God He never let me go…

When I recently studied the 70-weeks prophecy again in the book of Daniel (remember I mentioned this in my long introduction?), I asked myself, so what is this 70-weeks prophecy about? I found out that it is God’s salvation plan for Israel, where they will once again receive their Messiah into their land and into their hearts. And as I delved deeper into the events in the prophetic time frames, my heart stirred as I understood how God’s salvation plan for Israel and the Gentile nations will unfold. I was astounded and could identify with what Paul said in Romans 11:33,

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
For who has known the mind of the LORD?
Or who has become His counselor?
Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?
For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.”

So I was led to read Romans 9-11 again. I was intrigued and wooed by the Holy Spirit to dig deeper... That’s where the answers to my two questions (which I have long forgotten and placed on the back burner) unfolded. God, mind you, did not forget my questions. He was probably waiting for me to grow in my understanding before He can unravel more truths to me.


The (mind-blowing) answers to my questions…
You see, I have read through Romans 9-11 many times. Yes, even sat under an enlightening teaching of the topic 'Understanding Israel' where Romans 9-11 were extensively covered. I say this to emphasize that what we read, hear, take heed and keep in our hearts, God will give Eureka! moments down the road and help us understand and go deeper. And that just wows our heart, doesn't it?

It is apparent that God's salvation plan for Israel is pivotal in the 70-weeks prophecy. The Mastermind of the whole plan, had it all worked out, yes, right from the beginning. That's why it is called prophecy. The saints of old received the word concerning the future (prophecy). The word is fulfilled in our time. Some have happened, while others have yet to come.

First question answered - As Gentiles, it is critical to re-connect with God's purposes for Israel. Only by understanding and contending for God's purposes for Israel will we ourselves enter in God's purposes. Through Israel's rejection of God, the salvation plan of Gentiles came into effect (Rom. 9:25)!

Though Israel has rejected their Messiah and is subjected to judgment, God has reserved a remnant in Israel so that God will space the world of (more) judgment because of the remnant (Rom.9:28). Thus the current state of Israel's rejection of their Messiah is a picture of a group of people pursuing the law and not seeking God by faith. They have a zeal for God that is not according to knowledge or truth.

Thus God will provoke Israel to jealousy by raising up a nation (who is not a nation) (Rom. 10:19) for God has not given up on Israel. What's more... Rom. 11:12 tells us, "Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more is their fullness!"

Woa... So this is it. Recognise God's way of bringing salvation to all, through a people group. The mystery of Israel is seen here - their rejection of the gospel of salvation has led to salvation coming to the Gentiles who believe. So it explains why 'first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.' It is because of Israel that salvation came to us! This may sound the same as my understanding during bible study, but there's an exclamation mark now, because I encountered this truth in my heart!

Second question answered - The blindness of Israel (from the gospel of salvation), is ordained by God! God planned it! When I internalised this truth, I had a realisation that I am not God's second choice. Not at all! He had me in mind. All the time! He did not leave me out in His plan only to add me in when someone else vacated a space. He planned it all.

Rom. 11:8 "God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, to this very day."

Rom. 11:25-26, "... that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved.."

And what's more. It's not just about Israel, not just about the Gentile nations... but it's about God and his plan for us to transit us into the Age-to-come. It's all about God! I can't even write anymore (pause) because this understanding surpassed me and blows me away!


My response...
When these truths hit me, I cried hard... I cried long... I said to God, "Can I dwell in this truth longer? Because for so many years I felt I was like a second choice to You, when all along, I am Your choice. I am in your plan. You are thinking about me. You have me in your mind and heart, in a way that I didn't and couldn't understand. I just want to dwell in this truth..."

I am touched that God is always there for me in a way that I could not fathom. How did He feel when I couldn't understand His heart for me? Oh how He must have reached out to me and loved me in ways that I didn't know and couldn't understand why He did what He did (the left hand aka invisible activities of God!). I couldn't understand because here I was feeling like 'second choice' when He was treating me like His treasured possession. I cried hard cos I could feel the shame of being a second choice before God, and that was being wiped away in that split second, forever.

"How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand'

When I awake, I am still with You." ~ Psalm 139:17-18

God thinks about me... Oh how often He thinks about me... I can't even count how many million billion times... more than a cuppa sand grains I can hold in my hands... My heart just melts in the revelation of this truth...

And now I stand tall, yet humble before the all wise God. I can, like what my friend says, walk around with my chest out (ting xiong zhuo ren) because I am God's choice. It feels great. And I stand with my older brother, Israel, in yearning for and looking forward to greater days ahead, growing in deeper understanding of God's heart in His salvation plan for Israel and the nations as the Day draws nearer, and partnering with God to usher in the finest hour for the saints.

By the way, hope you don't mind my 'drop-jaw' look. It's cool you know =)

Meet Me Halfway

[One of the things I enjoy most when I set my heart to spend time with God, is to listen to Him first, and talk to Him...before I proceed with my plans to read or write. For someone like me, who is totally inclined to do-this-do-that-task-task-task, it is a deliberate restraint to just listen... It turns out that I enjoy such moments of connecting... of gazing into His heart... of devotion... and at times He moves my heart in such a way that I could only express in a poem. So here it is!]

Meet me halfway

Across the road

Lest I grow weary

Lest I grow faint, I pray

I'll come near

Nearer than you thought

Just by your side

And lead you by My right hand, He says

What God is this

That He would come so near

What King of mine

Who stooped so low and lifted me up (Psalm 18:35)

He raises the poor from the dust (1 Sam 1:8)

And lifts the begger from the ash heap

To set them among princes

And make them inherit the throne of glory

I say meet me halfway

He says I'll come just for you

All the way

All for love

He is the wind beneath my wings

He is my strength when I am weak

He is my voice when I couldn't speak

He saw the best there was in me

Till I see Him face to face

Till I join Him in His glory

I will rise

And I will run

Halfway

All the way

Forging ahead, hearts ablaze

For Jesus, my Great Reward

Weak Gaze of a Lovesick Heart

[Are you recently reminded of some-thing/one that meant lots to you, that you threw away from your world… just because of your One true love? While you gaze at your One true love, your First Love, the First and the Last, who walks among the seven golden lampstands and who watches over you, you find that the gaze becomes so weak… because what you threw away tugged at your heart, and is giving you second thoughts… ]

I’m gazing….
Oh but with a gaze so weak…
At the One who has captured my heart
He who holds the seven stars in His hands
And who holds my heart…

I’m hesitating…
And considering the things that hindered and easily entangled
The things that were behind me
That I clung onto
That had my affections and filled my world…

I’m crying out…
Strengthen my resolve!
Give me grace to overcome!
Sustain me O Holy Spirit!
Refresh me with the revelations of my Beloved One!

I’m lovesick…
The more I seek You
The more I find You
The more I find You
The more I love You…

I am the Rose

The joy for which You died

And this I know

I move You with delight

And when my heart condemns on every side

I take refuge in the truth

I am the Rose to You

I am the Rose

I am the Lily

I am Yours

I'm Your beauty

~ Better than ashes (Merchant Band)

Key Verses:

Song of Solomon 2:1 - I am the rose of Sharon (depicts God's inheritance), and the lily of the valleys (depicts a weak plant that is pure and beautiful to God).

Revelation 1 - Attributes of God...

Have I told You lately that I love You?

[May God's love abound in our hearts this Christmas... love for Him and for one another. As we pursue the knowledge of God - who He is and His heart - may we not lose sight of His love...for so what if we have knowledge (only) that puffs up when we have not love that builds up...]

"And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." ~ 1Corinthians 13:2

" Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up..." ~ 1Corinthians 8:1

"Ai," the traditional for love (愛) consists of a heart (middle) inside of "accept," "feel," or "perceive," which shows a graceful emotion. It can also be interpreted as a hand offering ones heart to another hand.

In Hebrew, Ahava is the most commonly used term for both interpersonal love and love of God


  
 

New Year Resolution? Take the Litmus Test of Maturity in Christ

Are you looking for and hastening Jesus' second coming?

Jolted up in the middle of the night, I was confronted with this thought. Do I yearn and long for God to come back? Or am I just contended with 'doing church' and getting on with life here on earth?

In my heart, I knew the answer... and I shudder...

A divine revelation... a holy dissatisfaction...

Looking for... a yearning and longing for Jesus. Who? Who is this Jesus? That you so yearn for Him? Who is the object of our affection and all of our love?

"Who do you say that I am?" The Church must once again answer this question. Is He our Shepherd King, Saviour and ...? Peter answered the question correctly, with the right understanding (Matt 16:16) and on this revelation, Jesus built the Church. So even now, the End-Time generation must answer this question to usher in the greatest movement here on earth - His second coming. Who do we say that He is?

This yearning and longing is not something we can make happen. It takes God to love and yearn for God. We can set our heart to love Him, but we need to let Him light the fire in our hearts. That takes time to cultivate - both in our own prayer closet and in corporate settings. (Read the Book of Joel). We must not be mistaken that intimacy with God is something that can be obtained out of a vending machine - go get zapped and tada! Hungering and pressing in for God is not a fashionable posture that fades away. It is here to stay in our lives, if we really want Him, yes, through all seasons of our lives. We are made to love Him, all the time. Period. Some say it's hard. I like what a wise sage says - that's a normal Christian life!

At the back of my mind, is it still surreal that Jesus will return in my lifetime? Or have I awoken to the fact that His coming is very near? Even my neighbour's kid can do the Maths...Matt 24:32. 1948 (birth of Israel) + 100years (~one generation) ~ 2048. And if it is very near, am I prepared for it? Can I stand? More so, am I prepared to rise up in matured love and partnership with Jesus when He returns? Jesus...my Bridegroom! King! and Judge!

Hastening...Wisdom and spiritual understanding of the times and knowing what we ought to do. What is the Holy Spirit saying to the Church? Are we paying attention and thus doing things in God's way? The Holy Spirit is orchestrating a global prayer and worship movement that precedes the great harvest and the glory of His coming. Before His coming, there will be shakings (Read Haggai 2). There is a role for the Church to play and not just stand on the sidelines. Even now, we need to press in for the spiritual understanding of God's will so that we can live our lives worthy of Him.

Titus 2:13

"...looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.."

2 Peter 3:11-13

"...Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God..."

2 Peter 3:13-15

"Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.Therefore, beloved,looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and considerthat the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—"

So if there must be one thing that I check myself and my ministry - some call it a new year resolution - reflection and projection - this question will be asked - am I looking for and hastening His coming?

If this has set you thinking, read more here...

Prophetic Song - David Brymer, Misty Edwards, and Jacob Hanley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1lTJUFHiOE

Us:

Everything I do, I do for You, My Love

I open my heart...

All that I do, I do for You, My Love...

My heart is open to You

My heart is forever open

I will return to My First Love

It was better (for me) there

Jealous... jealousy... come lay hold of me

Jealous... jealousy... come lay hold of me

God:

Mine is a love that will never let you go...

I'm married to a harlot

My love will make her pure

I will beautify her

I will make her all mine

I will make all things news

Beauty for your ashes

Joy for all your mourning

Us:

Love me, wash me, make me new...

Here I am

For I can't get away, can't get away, from Your Love

Beautiful Mercy - by Laura Hackett

There is no pit too deep that Jesus cannot reach

There is no sorrow so strong that would overtake His beloved one

Chorus:

And He’s brought me to the wilderness where I will learn to sing

And He lets me know my barrenness so I will learn to lean

Bridge:

Beautiful Mercy, do what You have to do

Jealous Lover, do what You have to do

Tag:

So I will sing; yes, I will sing

I will sing, even in this brokenness

I will sing, even in this loneliness

When You Called My Name...

[So often we come before God's presence, so un-awaken and un-aware of His deep love and longing for us. We get caught up with the "do-ing" and lost sight of the "be-ing". Thanks be to God! He watches over us and reminds us of who we are, and calls us - the people of One Thing. More than that, the touch and presence of the God who calls us overwhelm us - re-aligning us to what is in His heart and strengthening our resolve to run the race set before us...

It is not about which ministry or church we are in... it's about God's people of One Thing - Psalm 27:4, Luke 10:38-42, Phil 3:7-14 - people who have this DNA and living it out in faith and obedience, wherever they are, whatever God has called them to do...]

This is who I am

This is the reason I live

The reason I breathe

How can I forget?

How can I run away?

You are always watching over me

There is a stirring in my heart

There is a fire burning

My heart awakens... when You called my name

What is this striving, O my soul?

What is this unrest within me?

When all You want is my heart, my love

I am alive! No longer living-dead

I am captivated! No longer going through motion

Stir up a passion for Your Name, I pray

You came and gently touched my heart

You spoke and called my name

Awakening zeal, passion, fire in my heart

Once again I turn to You

Once again I say I am Yours

Falling in love with my Beloved, my Bridegroom King, all over again

When You called my name

When You drew near

Nothing else matters

Everything fades away

Everything pales in comparison

This is who I am... when You call my name

You breathed, and the world came into being

You spoke, and my spirit stirred within me

I will arise, and run with You

Draw me away

Draw me close by Your side

We will remember Your love more than wine...

Among those whom God hears and answers

[There must be something about Noah, Daniel, Job, Moses, Aaron and Samuel... something that they did (and lived) right... that in God's fury, He would relent, that when they spoke, God answered them and showed them wonderful things from His heart...]


Ezk 14:12, 19
The word of the LORD came again to me, saying: "Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it. Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness," says the Lord GOD.

"Or if I send a pestilence into that land and pour out My fury on it in blood, and cut off from it man and beast, even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live," says the Lord GOD, "they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness."

Psalm 99:6
Moses and Aaron were among His priests,
And Samuel was among those who called upon His name;
They called upon the LORD, and He answered them.
He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar;
They kept His testimonies and the ordinances He gave them.
You answered them, O LORD our God...

No Lack

[The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want (or I shall have no lack)... what does this mean? The key is when the Lord is the Lord of our lives, we shall have no lack... sounds simple yet profound..]

Word of the Lord on 7-11-2009:

I am Your Good Shepherd
I am Your Great Leader
Do not fear
For I am with you
I'll not leave you nor forsake you

Trust in Me
I'll lead you in the way of everlasting
And in me you will have no lack
And in me surely goodness and mercy
Will follow you all the days of your life

I will kiss your heart
And cause you to experience My great love
And I'll pour out My grace on you
To empower you
For My grace is sufficient


When circumstances in our lives spell a 'lack' - be it a unfufilled dream, a lost child, a sickness or a hope deferred... we press in to God, for He is more than able, and He is our Shepherd. We approach Him in confidence because He is a God we sees us and knows us, even before a word is on our lips, He knows it...

When we lay hold of God, we'll find that.... we have no lack... cos we have Him. We have Him leading us, we have Him watching over us, we have Him with us in our journey... yes, truly, we have no lack, when we put the Lord, the Lord of all!

Up!

[A few weeks ago, I asked my nephew and nieces what they liked best in the movie Up! and they unanimously said they liked the talking dog! hmm... I'm not so much an animal lover, so that's not the part I liked best. The ahh! moment for me was when the old man had to offload all that stuff in his house, so as to get higher. Yes, all that stuff - even those that meant lots to him. Lots lots lots... how was that possible? Definitely not for the faint-hearted...]


The only way is Up!
But.. but... why do I seem to be going down?

Moment of reckoning
Moment of decision

Throw throw throw
Treasured, cherished, part of me!

Turned out to be no sweat
For I discovered that there is only onething I'm after

Hey, remember?
Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham... and the list goes on in Hebrews 11

Gulps...
They did not even receive the very promise that was due them in their lifetime!

But they were assured of onething
And they will not be disappointed

Selah
[means pause... to savour the meaning behind the previous two statements]

What's this I'm feeling
What's this I'm seeing

I'm going Up!
Take me higher! Draw me nearer! Closer to Your heart I pray...

I'm singing
I'm rejoicing

If I try and save my life I will lose it
But if I lose my life for Your sake, I'll find it in the end...

Life is found in the letting go
Joy is found in the tearing of the heart


"THEREFORE,
we also,
since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance
the race that is SET before us,
looking unto JESUS,
the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him
endured the cross,
despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
~ Hebrews 12:1-2

Acidified!

The 3 acid tests for those in any ministry... especially worship & prayer ministry... from Zechariah 7:1-7

1. Did you really fast (serve, lead, go to church etc) for Me - for Me?

2. Do you have 2 different lifestyles? One in the temple/church, one outside the temple/church.

3. You sure you are ready?

Thoughts on the Book of Isaiah

A Problematic Nation before a Persistent God

The nation of Judah sinned. They "lost their senses" and have forsaken the Lord who has brought them up and nourished them. Their rebellion and wickedness were evident to all the earth – worse than the animals that know their master and home, the nation knew not their Master and turned from the One who cared for them. Yet the Lord calls them children (Isa 1:2). He calls them Israel, My people (Isa 1:3).

“But Israel does not know,
My people do not consider.”

God looks upon the sinful nation that has turned away from the Him - it is sick, faint with open wounds and bruises, desolate and overthrown by strangers. What's left of it is liken to a "booth in a vineyard", a "hut in a garden of cucumbers" and a "besieged city" (Isa 1:8).

Before this very pathetic and desolate sight, Isaiah proclaimed (Isa 1:9):

"Unless the LORD of hosts
Had left to us a very small remnant,
We would have become like Sodom,
We would have been made like Gomorrah.”

There will be a remnant! The Lord Himself will provide. He will not utterly destroy the rebellious nation although that is what they deserve. The merciful God is true to His covenant people. But how will He restore them from the dismal state that they are in? Through His remnant people that is pale in comparison before their countless enemies? Let us read on, feeling the heart of God in drawing them back to Him, grasping the ways of the God of justice and love…

A God Who Reasons and Stoops …

Hear! Give ear! You rulers… you people! God appeals to them to come clean and get right with Him first, then offer sacrifices to Him (Isa 1:18). Can you fathom the sight of a God who stooped to just do that when all the rebellious people deserved were nothing but judgment?

“ Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the LORD… "

For offering sacrifices to God, going through the rituals and making prayers while their heart is far away from God, only serves to provoke God to anger even more. Return O Judah! God promises that all He needs is their willingness and obedience and He will cleanse them of their sin and prosper them. But if they refuse and rebel, they shall fall by the sword… (Isa 1:19-20)

If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the good of the land;
But if you refuse and rebel,
You shall be devoured by the sword”;
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

When God says “I will”

The faithful city has fallen and become a harlot. Yet God, the Lord of host, the mighty One of Israel, is in control and three times He said “I will” – get rid of their adversaries, purge away sin from His people and restore their land to righteousness. Zion shall be redeemed and no one can quench the fury of God’s fire. Nothing, not even their rebellious and wanton hearts, can thwart God’s destiny for them… (Isa 1:24-26)

“ Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries,
And take vengeance on My enemies.
I will turn My hand against you,
And thoroughly purge away your dross,
And take away all your alloy.
I will restore your judges as at the first,
And your counselors as at the beginning.
Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.”

So chill…God is in control. What situations and men fail to accomplish in righteousness, God already knows. He speaks through His prophets to woo His people back to Himself. We can put our faith in Him and trust Him. And we can put our hope in what He has in store for us since the beginning of time that He alone shall complete in us. We only need to be willing and obedient and see the loving God move in our lives and be in step with Him.


Prayer

“God, grant us willing and obedient hearts to follow you all the days of our life. Grant us understanding of your heart for us both now and in the days to come, that like what the Psalmist says in Psalm 90:12

“So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

You are once again coming back again to shake the things that can be shaken, purging your people and land from unrighteousness. You alone will restore all things and bring about the very promises You have for us, for You are a faithful God, the Lord of Host.

Lead us O Lord, in Your ways. We acknowledge you and ask for wisdom to not only know Your ways, but also to see Your face. We want to know and feel the heart of the One who stoops to us so that we may be confident to rise again, putting away the shame of our sin. Jesus bore it all for us. When we stumble and fall, we hold on to Your mighty hand and Your undying love for us. Take us higher, take us deeper in You we pray. From strength to strength we will grow, in the light of Your mercy and grace.

We pray too that Your very plan and purposes for the chosen nation, Israel, will come to pass in Your time and might. Even now, let her understand Your heart for her that she may return to You, offering righteous sacrifices that would bring You pleasure. Strengthen, O mighty One of Israel, the ones who stay faithful to You in the midst of persecution. Let them encounter Your right hand leading them through moments of peril. Comfort their hearts O Lord, for You are their Shepherd and they are the sheep of your pen, Your beloved people and nation, destined for Your glory.

In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen.